Sometimes life presents you with difficult choices, and sometimes none of the options are good ones.

Alex Garrison’s son, Connor, was born with cerebral palsy and many special needs that required surgery.

Alex worked hard to provide for his family, and his efforts were rewarded with a promotion at work. The promotion meant more money for the family.

It also meant that they no longer qualified for state medical coverage for their son’s surgery.

Alex was heartbroken, and faced with a difficult decision: pay for the surgery with money he did not have, or give up the hope he had for his son. In the end, he took money from his employer to help pay the down payment for Connor’s surgery, even though he knew it was wrong. He hid his struggles from his wife and kept records of everything he took. After he was caught, but before he went to prison, he paid back everything he had taken. 

Alex was serving concurrent sentences for embezzlement and false pretenses related to credit card use and had been in jail for two years past his minimum sentence when he found Dismas. He was determined to change his life. While living at the East Allen Dismas House in Winooski, he obtained his CDL and served as a resident advisor for two years. He moved into an apartment after Dismas, found a good job, and has owned his own home for over six years.  

Alex reconnected with Dismas three years ago to thank them for the support and the second chance. One thing led to another, and Alex joined the Local Council; most recently, he joined the Dismas Board of Directors.

Connor passed away in 2023 at the age of 16, but Alex is doing well today. He is grateful for Dismas staff, who never gave up on him, and knows he would not be where he is today without them. Not only did Dismas give Alex a place to stay, but a family he could lean on.